So many people have spoken to me over the last few weeks about feeling anxious and in low mood. This is completely understandable because of what’s going on in the world all around us right now.
One particular lady I spoke to, who was taking anti-depressants, then admitted that although she understood the correlation between her mental health and her diet, she was craving a lot of sweet foods, and her general diet was not great. I know when you are not feeling good, it’s hard to muster the motivation to prepare good healthy food. However, it could make the biggest difference to the way you feel, and even help a person come off the medication at some point if that’s what the individual wanted.
Some medication, of course is essential, but it’s important to remember that all medication is toxic to your system. And toxicity causes disharmony. What you are trying to create is a balanced body, full of the right Nutrients. You don’t need to go and get thousands of supplements. You just need to focus on your diet, and a throw a few superfoods in the mix too.
Basically, our body needs anti-inflammatory foods, hydration, a multitude of Vitamins and minerals from the most natural sources possible, plus movement and meditation. What you don’t need is processed foods, high sugar intake, excessive caffeine, alcohol and constant elevated levels of stress. The latter is the perfect recipe for anxiety and depression. Those foods and drinks might make you feel better temporarily, but long term, they are just going to make you feel worse.
Every day make sure you have plenty of good fats. Avocados, coconut butter, nuts, Chia and Flax seeds. These good fats help you on so many levels. They help to keep each and every cell in your body permeable, which allows the nutrients to get dispelled around the body as it should, and remove the toxins through our waste avenues, such a sweat, urine and poo!
I know it’s a bodily function that no one wants to talk about, but if you’re not going at least 2 x per day you are not having enough fibre in your diet. Fibre should be in the format of an abundance of fruit and vegetables. Including green smoothies, soups, broths, quinoa dishes, stacked with chopped colourful vegetables such as peppers, broccoli, beetroot, carrots and sweet potatoes. These foods will create an environment that makes your body very happy!
You could even juice if you want to give your body a real good energy kick – but make sure its veggie heavy – such as celery, cucumber, limes and apple. Yum!
Then move – every day. Exercise in ANY format is going to be helpful to the body. You got to move, stretch, jump up and down and generally get your blood pumping. This will give you a rush of endorphins – so you feel uplifted and happier. It’s a fact!
Meditation – 10 mins per day 2 x a day for 2 weeks will change your life. There are so many guided meditations on you tube that there is no excuse for anyone any more! Or if that’s not your bag staring into the flame of a candle for 10 mins will still the mind and help to calm your nervous system, helping your body to feel more settled and grounded.
Drink calming teas such as camomile, lime flower and lavender will help bring you into harmony. You could also try milk thistle tincture to help support the liver. Although you may wonder what this has to do with depression, I can tell you it has a lot to do with how you feel. If your liver is happy, you will be too, so look after it.
Check out my range of superfood blends to guide you and your health through the winter months – I also offer a health testing service to see what’s really going on inside your body. For more information visit: www.lifeisforthriving.com